Walter Roese had plenty of reasons to stay. He had even more to go.

The Hawaii men’s basketball associate head coach confirmed a bittersweet parting with the program on Tuesday night after just a single season alongside head coach Gib Arnold.

Roese, who operated as the UH coaching staff’s second-in-command, will return to his native Brazil to position himself for elevation in its national team program, he said, as well as to spend more time with his family and explore business options.

A successful first season (19-13) and return to the island where his two children were born in the 1990s wasn’t enough to stave off his resignation.

“I think we had a great season. I was really happy with the way things were going,” Roese said. “I didn’t feel burned out. I have every positive thing to say about UH. The fans, the administration, Coach Gib. … Hawaii is home for me in some ways. Just right now it’s great opportunities. I have to think about the family and the future.”

Roese, a rising star in the coaching ranks of Brazil’s national program, said he felt he was passing up too good an opportunity by limiting himself to those duties only during summers, when he would coach Brazilian junior squads in tournaments around the world. Most recently, he coached its team in the World University Games for the third straight year.

Roese’s annual salary at UH was believed to be $124,656, although by UH policy, he had to forfeit pay while he coached overseas with Brazil. He couldn’t be paid by Brazil, either, though he downplayed that as a reason for his departure.

“Not really (a big issue) because I understood where UH comes from and their policy and I respect that,” Roese said. “I’m thankful they even allowed me to do that.”

A factor was the death of his mother during the 2010-11 season. She ran a family business back home and Roese said he would assume some responsibilities there while he looks to expand his experience as a head coach.

UH will post a job opening on its website for two weeks, at which point it can hire a replacement. Arnold said he’d withhold comment on the search until then.

Where UH might miss the multilingual Roese most is in his international recruiting ties, which he was known for, particularly in his homeland.

“Overall, I understand. If he’s even got a chance to coach the Olympic team here coming up, I think that’s great for Walter,” Arnold said. “Walter’s been great, I’ve enjoyed working with him, and he felt at this time in his life he needed to be back in Brazil, running his family’s business and doing the national-level job. I understand that. I would have liked to have him back, but he’s got other obligations. I’m fine with that.”

Roese isn’t just leaving UH, but the entire American college game. After assisting the past 12 years at various NCAA institutions — BYU-Hawaii, BYU, San Diego and Nebraska before UH — Roese figured it was time for a change.

Among the players he leaves behind is junior center Vander Joaquim, who followed Roese to UH last summer. A recent transfer to UH, junior forward Christian Standhardinger, also was coached by Roese in his freshman season at Nebraska.

Joaquim is expected to return to UH as planned in the coming days, Arnold said. He recently competed in Madagascar with the Angolan national team.

“He’s a great fit for UH. UH is a great fit for him and he’s going to have a wonderful career over there,” Roese said of Joaquim.

Roese wouldn’t rule out a return to the NCAA at some point. For now, the lure of the international unknown proved too tempting.

“What’s waiting for us out there? Surprises. You never know,” Roese said. “I came to Hawaii hoping I’d be there for 10 years, and a year later I’m not there. … I’m thankful for all the fans and the support. I wish them the best.”